We'll explore how to:
* Enlarge your vision
* Develop a healthy self-image
* Discover the power of your thoughts and words
* Let go of the past
* Find strength through adversity
* Live to give
* Choose to be happy

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Let your mountains know how big your God is!

I needed this chapter! I am my own worse critic sometimes and I do have a tendency to verbalize it and as Joel says in this chapter that only solidifies the thoughts in my own min. I love his statement about facing the mountains. "Stop talking to God about how big your mountains are, and start talking to your mountains about how big your God is! I am going to work on this. Have you talked to your mountain today and let them know how big your God is?

Mark 11:23 "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him."

9 comments:

Frank, I had a chance to listen to Joel on that "youtube" link tonight. It was awesome and really blessed me! I liked what he had to say about starting your day with God. I can see by the time you posted this that you started your day with God. I am so glad that you realize how important positive self-talk is. We learned the importance of that in weightwatchers. Our positive words carry a blessing. Isaiah 55:11 says "So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it." We can send our words--through thoughts and prayers--to bless and to heal. We can bless our world as we hold thoughts of love, harmony, and peace. As we go about our daily activities, we need to keep in mind the power of our words. We have the power to add constructive ideas to any situation, to encourage others, and to turn a negative situation into a positive one. I John 4:4 says, "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." Joel says there is a miracle in my mouth and that if I learn how to speak the right words and keep the right attitude, God will turn my problems into victories.

"By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone," says Solomon in Proverbs 25:15. A soft tongue will get us so much further than a sharp tongue. We can tame our tongue and speak powerful words of encouragement and love wherever we go.

Here's some "ABC's for Taming the Tongue." I found these in my spiritual journal. I think they came from Karol Ladd's book THE POWER OF A POSITIVE WOMAN.

A--Accentuate the Positive. Focus our attention on the positive, not the negative.

B--Build others up. Be an encourager.

C-Concentrate on giving out grace. Forgive, comfort, and heal others with loving words. Don't concentrate on mistakes and shortcomings of others. Look past a person's humanness into his/her wounded soul and extend a helping hand full of transforming grace. Realize that if someone being less than loving toward you, it is because he/she is giving a call for help. Show love not anger if someone attacks you.

Pat and Frank, I am encouraged also by thinking about positive things that God does. He is bigger than my problem. I know He is bigger than my insecurities. I would love to see the people of the world think positive thoughts. I keep praying for those who want to harm others to think that God is a loving God and wants to let us live so they will rethink their philosophy.I am trusting god to turn my mountains into victories! In the mighty name of Jesus-- AMenElizabeth

Elizabeth, I think your comment was very encouraging. God is bigger than our problems and that gives us so much hope. Hebrews 6:19 says, "We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine." That hope permeates my inner being and makes me grateful to be alive on a day like today. Thanks for contributing. You made my day!

This psalm reminds me of what Joel said in the You Tube message: "Early in the morning my song will rise to you." Joel

What I got from that is an exchange of songs-- How exciting is that? I love Psalm 65:8 it is a promise God makes to us that anchors our day and even our nights in his Songs of Joy. Something I held onto deeply as I worked through greif or ever feel really lost in the world-- just putting myself in God's presence in the morning sunrise and in the evening sunset... and listening to God's Songs of Joy. They are always there. It's an amazing thing and it does change your day and day by day your life. When I experience this I think-- why would I miss one morning... why would I miss one evening... and then I get busy and forget and get out of the habit and frankly, it takes something like this message to shake me up and say-- oh yea... I know this and I get me back in it. So thanks for the wake up call... Now I love the idea of adding my own songs back-- like communicating in songs-- it's very spiritual form of connecting with God. "Early in the morning, my song will rise to thee!" and meet his songs of joy as morning dawns.

Awesome Psalm, Kim! Thanks for sharing. I also get joy from songs. I recently joined a choir in our church, and as I was singing during practice, I felt such a love and peacefulness come over me. God's gifts of sunrise and sunset are special to me too. My daughter Tori had us rise early for the winter solstice and go to the top of a tall hotel on a hill in Eureka Springs, AR, to watch the sunrise. It was magnificent! Oh, to start the day with God is so wonderful that I, like you, Kim, find it hard to understand why we don't do it daily.

I have learned to look at the mountains with excitement: "Lord, I trust YOU! You have something good for me on the other side of this mountain. Take my hand and lead me safely to the summit that I might exalt you by declaring the truth of your faithfulness, mercy and grace to those I meet along the way. Thank you Jesus!"